Talk of Climate Change Following Flood Anniversary

By
KBJR News 1

June 20, 2013Updated Jun 20, 2013 at 10:33 PM CDT

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- As we mark the one-year anniversary of the floods that swept through the Northland, people are shifting talks to climate change. Some climatologists are saying the extreme weather of the past year is a big indicator that the climate is shifting.

From last years flooding, to the first recorded water spout in Duluth, to a winter that would not end, experts say these recent weather extremes indicate a minor shift in climate patterns.

Today community members gathered at Lincoln Park Middle School for the "Flood of Options: Adapting to a Changing Climate" workshop to hear from state climatologists on how the region's landscape has changed due to the recent extreme weather events like the floods.

The free workshop offered people information on ways they can adapt to these shifting climates.

Climatologist's credit the intensity of last June's flooding in part to another problem plaguing the state at the time.

"You had one of the all-time worst, if not the all-time worst flash flood situations, but we we're in the middle of a state-wide drought, we had 55 counties in drought last year, and yet we're also coping with flash floods," said Mark Seeley, Extension Climatologist at the University of Minnesota.

Climatologists went on to say regardless how climate change is caused, now is the time to start adapting to these new conditions to reduce negative impacts of future natural disasters.

Experts they say a good way to measure the impacts of climate change is by monitoring your utility bills, as climates shifts bills often reflect this.

St. Louis River Alliance and W.J. McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League hosted the event.